Survey: 1,460 homeless adults in Sarasota County

Published: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 3:39 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 6:43 p.m.

SARASOTA - There are 1,460 single adults reporting that they are homeless in Sarasota County. There are only 273 beds for them to sleep in.

Facts

SARASOTA HOMELESSNESS BY THE NUMBERS

POPULATION BREAKDOWN• Single adults reporting homelessness in

Sarasota County: 1,460• Beds available in Sarasota County: 237• Beds needed: 1,187 • Ratio of men to women among homeless population: 3 to 1. • Percent of county jail inmates reporting homelessness: 21 percent. • Percent of those surveyed in South County: 12.1 percent. • Total men, 18 or older: 1,102• Total women, 18 or older: 357• Total transgender, 18 or older: 1

COUNTY BREAKDOWN • Total North County, including jail: 1,249• Total South County: 177• Total served in both North and South county areas: 34 (2.3%)

SARASOTA COUNTY JAIL BREAKDOWN• Total: 234• Men: 190• Women: 44

SOURCE: The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness

Those figures, from a recent survey by the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, represent yet another increase in the number of people thought to be homeless in Sarasota County. A survey earlier this year put the number at about 1,250, with another 800 in Manatee County.

The information's impact on policy remains unclear: local officials await the recommendations of a homelessness expert.

The consultant, Richard Marbut, has reportedly been gathering his own data and touring city and county facilities before presenting a strategic plan sometime next month.

The most recent Suncoast Partnership study paints a picture of a population that is mostly male, frequently incarcerated, and concentrated mostly in northern Sarasota County. The survey counted people living on the streets, in camps and in temporary shelters from Sept. 15 to Sept. 21.

Men outnumbered women 3 to 1. And of 234 people in the Sarasota County jail that week, 21 percent reported experiencing homelessness. Only about 12 percent of those surveyed were found in the southern part of the county.

The survey, conducted by Suncoast along with 28 local agencies, counted individuals by recording their first and last names, gender and age.

While the survey presents new details about homelessness across the county, the key point should be the large number of people who are not being helped, said Leslie Loveless, a spokeswoman for the Suncoast Partnership.

The area would need more than 1,000 additional beds to shelter all of those residents who are without housing, she said.

In fact, the number of people experiencing homelessness seems to grow each year. While this year's census shows a modest increase from January, both studies show homelessness in Sarasota County has grown by more than 40 percent since 2011.

While some groups are doing a good job of preventing families from going into homelessness, through rent support or helping with bills, efforts to get people out of homelessness have been less successful, Loveless said.

Part of the reason can be found in high unemployment rates and a disappointing economy, but the experience of homelessness often does little to help people improve their situation.

“Some need to be re-socialized,” Loveless said. “They've been living in a different world.”

The population living out of doors is also complex, Loveless said. Groups are working with people who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse, but also families living in cars and people who have jobs but live in the woods because they cannot afford housing.

The city and the county have each pledged $500,000 to finance homelessness efforts in the coming year, whether that means backing Marbut's plan or other work. Meanwhile, the Suncoast Partnership and affiliated agencies continue to gather information to inform the coming debate over what to do next.

The Community Alliance of Sarasota County Homeless Committee next plans to conduct a similar survey focusing on families and children and to gather more detailed information about homelessness in Manatee County.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - There are 1,460 single adults reporting that they are homeless in Sarasota County. There are only 273 beds for them to sleep in. </p><p>Those figures, from a recent survey by the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, represent yet another increase in the number of people thought to be homeless in Sarasota County. A survey earlier this year put the number at about 1,250, with another 800 in Manatee County. </p><p>The information's impact on policy remains unclear: local officials await the recommendations of a homelessness expert.</p><p>The consultant, Richard Marbut, has reportedly been gathering his own data and touring city and county facilities before presenting a strategic plan sometime next month. </p><p>The most recent Suncoast Partnership study paints a picture of a population that is mostly male, frequently incarcerated, and concentrated mostly in northern Sarasota County. The survey counted people living on the streets, in camps and in temporary shelters from Sept. 15 to Sept. 21.</p><p>Men outnumbered women 3 to 1. And of 234 people in the Sarasota County jail that week, 21 percent reported experiencing homelessness. Only about 12 percent of those surveyed were found in the southern part of the county.</p><p>The survey, conducted by Suncoast along with 28 local agencies, counted individuals by recording their first and last names, gender and age. </p><p>While the survey presents new details about homelessness across the county, the key point should be the large number of people who are not being helped, said Leslie Loveless, a spokeswoman for the Suncoast Partnership.</p><p>The area would need more than 1,000 additional beds to shelter all of those residents who are without housing, she said.</p><p>“That's a pretty strong statement,” Loveless said. “What we're doing right now isn't making the problem better.”</p><p>In fact, the number of people experiencing homelessness seems to grow each year. While this year's census shows a modest increase from January, both studies show homelessness in Sarasota County has grown by more than 40 percent since 2011. </p><p>While some groups are doing a good job of preventing families from going into homelessness, through rent support or helping with bills, efforts to get people out of homelessness have been less successful, Loveless said. </p><p>Part of the reason can be found in high unemployment rates and a disappointing economy, but the experience of homelessness often does little to help people improve their situation. </p><p>“Some need to be re-socialized,” Loveless said. “They've been living in a different world.”</p><p>The population living out of doors is also complex, Loveless said. Groups are working with people who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse, but also families living in cars and people who have jobs but live in the woods because they cannot afford housing. </p><p>The city and the county have each pledged $500,000 to finance homelessness efforts in the coming year, whether that means backing Marbut's plan or other work. Meanwhile, the Suncoast Partnership and affiliated agencies continue to gather information to inform the coming debate over what to do next. </p><p>The Community Alliance of Sarasota County Homeless Committee next plans to conduct a similar survey focusing on families and children and to gather more detailed information about homelessness in Manatee County.</p>